Asia Cup 2022 Between Afghanistan & Sri Lanka

Asia Cup 2022: There was once Pathum Nissanka was given out despite snick not showing a spike as a results of the ball passed his bat.

• Updated: August 27, 2022 10:05 PM IST

File photo of Pathum Nissanka.

The kick off of the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2022 between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was not without its fair share of drama. The opening moments of the match set the tone for an eventful encounter, marked by controversy and heated discussions.

As the captains gathered for the toss, Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi emerged victorious and decided to put Sri Lanka into bat. The decision to field first seemed strategic, aiming to exploit any early advantage offered by the pitch. The excitement intensified when Afghanistan's pacer, Fazalhaq Farooqi, delivered a sensational first over, claiming two crucial wickets. Sri Lanka, caught off guard by the swift blows, found themselves relying on the reliable bat of Pathum Nissanka to steady their innings.

However, the game took an unexpected turn in the following over. Nissanka, facing the deliveries of Naveen-ul-Haq, fell victim to a contentious caught-behind decision on the last ball of the over. The on-field umpire wasted no time in raising his finger, indicating the dismissal. This prompted Nissanka to immediately call for a review, a decision that would prove to be pivotal in the unfolding drama.

Replays on the giant screen and television sets showed only a faint disturbance on the snicko, suggesting that Nissanka might have escaped a genuine edge. The anticipation in the stadium grew as fans and players alike awaited the third umpire's decision. It appeared that Nissanka might have received a fortunate reprieve.

However, to the dismay of Nissanka, Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka, and head coach Chris Silverwood in the dugout, the third umpire chose to stick with the on-field decision. Despite the minimal evidence of a snick on the ultra-edge technology, the original decision stood, and Nissanka had to make the long walk back to the pavilion.

The controversial decision immediately ignited a storm on social media, with cricket enthusiasts expressing their disbelief and frustration. Prominent Sri Lankan commentator and former club cricketer Roshan Abeysinghe took to Twitter to voice his opinion, stating, "Never saw any spike on the ultra edge re Pathum Nissanka's review. Horrible decision by the 3rd Umpire Jayaraman." Another user questioned the integrity of the decision, tweeting, "Would be interested to see what the explanation for that Nissanka decision is. No way you can say ultra edge gave any evidence to suggest there was a nick."

The widespread criticism on social media reflected the sentiments of fans who felt that the decision had been unjust. The inconsistency in umpiring decisions during the match became a focal point of discussion, raising questions about the effectiveness of technology in aiding the decision-making process.

Despite the controversy, the game continued, and Sri Lanka found themselves unable to recover from the early setbacks. Fazalhaq Farooqi continued his impressive bowling performance, finishing with three wickets to his name. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi also contributed significantly, taking two wickets each. The Sri Lankan batting lineup crumbled under the pressure, eventually being bowled out for a mere 105 runs.

The match, which had started with high expectations, will be remembered not only for the on-field action but also for the contentious decision that stirred emotions both on the field and across social media platforms. The Asia Cup 2022 had truly begun with a bang, leaving fans eager for more thrilling encounters and, undoubtedly, more controversial moments in the days to come.